HC rejects writ on loan defaulter status; Manna barred from contesting election
Lawyers representing Manna say they will challenge the High Court order before the Appellate Division
The High Court has rejected a writ petition filed by Nagorik Oikya President Mahmudur Rahman Manna seeking directions to remove his name from the Bangladesh Bank's loan defaulters list—an outcome that, state lawyers say, bars him from contesting the upcoming national election.
A bench of Justice Md Bazlur Rahman and Justice Md Monjur Alam passed the order today (24 December) after a preliminary hearing on the petition.
Senior lawyer Ahsanul Karim and Barrister Jyotirmoy Barua represented Manna, while Deputy Attorney General Shafiqul Rahman appeared for the state.
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Speaking to reporters, Shafiqul Rahman said the court dismissed the writ seeking the removal of Manna's name from the central bank's defaulters list. "As a result, he will not be eligible to contest the election," he said.
Barrister Jyotirmoy Barua said the defence would challenge the High Court order before the Appellate Division.
Earlier, on 10 December, Islami Bank Bangladesh Limited's Bogura Borogola branch issued a call-back notice seeking recovery of Tk38.04 crore from Afaku Cold Storage Limited, an entity led by Manna. The notice asked the borrowers to clear the dues by 18 December, warning of legal action in case of failure.
The notice, signed by branch head Touhid Reza, was sent to Afaku Cold Storage Chairman Mahmudur Rahman Manna and Managing Director ABM Nazmul Qadir Shajahan Chowdhury.
According to information placed before the court, Afaku Cold Storage is owned by Manna (50%), managing director ABM Nazmul Qadir Shajahan Chowdhury (25%), and director Ismat Ara Laizu (25%). In a notice sent on 3 December, the company's facility at Kichok Bazar in Shibganj, Bogura, was instructed to repay Tk38.04 crore in defaulted investment.
